BCCI selectors give seniors full support

Selectors are not in favour of major changes or 'dropping seniors' simply for the sake of some grandstanding, reports Kadambari Murali.

Senior Indian cricketers who were part of the World Cup campaign are very much in the selectors' scheme of things for the tour of Bangladesh.

On Thursday, a selector told the Hindustan Times that although "there will be two different teams" – for the Tests and the ODIs — the selectors were not in favour of making large-scale changes or "dropping seniors" simply for the sake of some grandstanding. "There has to be a sense of perspective," he said. "We cannot afford to lose in Bangladesh. So we will pick a combination that can go there and win."

The squads will be picked in Mumbai on April 20. The selection committee will pick the "best squad possible", irrespective of age or any other factor, including directives from anywhere.

He said the selectors would "probably introduce two or three new faces in the one-day squad" so that they can test the youngsters in international competition. "It is difficult to assess people from their performances in first-class cricket," he said.

For the rest, the selectors are inclined to go with the people with experience, especially in the Test squad, "which might see a couple of changes at the top, as the middle order is pretty much settled", he said. A clearer picture will emerge when the selectors meet in Ahmedabad next week during the Twenty20 Knockout Cup and "discuss possibilities".

Media reports over the past couple of weeks have said a directive from the BCCI to the selection committee will result in dramatic changes, with many high-profile seniors being dropped. BCCI chief Sharad Pawar's statement on Wednesday, however, may have cleared the air. "I'm not promoting or suggesting anybody," he said. "It is up to the selectors whatever team they pick the best team will go."

The team's departure for Dhaka, on May 7, will be preceded by a mini-camp at the Eden Gardens from May 2 to 6.